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Committee backs change to oversized-vehicle enforcement, directs staff to continue safe-parking program
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Summary
The committee voted unanimously to recommend amending Santa Barbara Municipal Code §10.44.220 to change enforcement for oversized vehicles and to continue safe-parking partnerships with nonprofits after staff cited repeated re‑appearances and public‑health impacts.
The Santa Barbara City Committee on Special Ordinances voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council consider an amendment to Municipal Code section 10.44.220 changing enforcement procedures for oversized vehicles and to continue support for safe‑parking resources.
The committee’s action followed a staff presentation explaining that a 2017 amendment requiring repeated warnings and a 1,000‑foot relocation made enforcement impractical and had not reduced congregations of large vehicles. City staff said a six‑month snapshot included 75 contacts and 4,040 unique vehicles; later reporting cited 108 contacts involving 38 vehicles, with 10 vehicles recorded at least four times and one vehicle seen 12 times, suggesting repeated re‑location rather than long‑term compliance.
City attorney John Dumas and staff framed the requested change as aimed at restoring effective, humane enforcement while preserving avenues to connect people living in vehicles with housing services. Staff described the city’s work under the California Camp Resolution Fund and with the nonprofit New Beginnings: the presentation said the program enrolled 118 people (79 vehicles), 71 of whom engaged with services and 36 of whom entered temporary housing or shelter placements.
Motion and vote: Mayor Pro Tem Snedon moved and Councilmember Jordan seconded a motion asking the City Council to consider the ordinance amendment and to continue safe‑parking programs and outreach; the committee approved the recommendation by unanimous voice vote.
What it means: Committee members repeatedly said enforcement must be feasible and that safe‑parking capacity should expand to reduce displacement. Staff and members discussed identifying potential parking sites and coordinating with county and nonprofit partners to increase capacity and ensure services for program participants.
Next steps: The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration; staff will continue work on enforcement procedures and safe‑parking site development.
